The Seven Swords of Diya: An Indiana Jones Fan Fiction Part 1

Chapter 75: Kamchatka, 1960

Kamchatka

1960

Inside Shorty's Plane

Indy stared at Emily, tenderly surprised. "You remember that conversation?"

"Its kind of paired with a life changing moment, Dad," Emily replied. "Its not easy being female. But that's never stopped me. And after I had to kill the tiger who was trailing me by the blood scent, you made me promise to tell you when I have this issue. And I did!"

"This isn't about that, Em."

Her dark eyes flashed Marion's fury. "It certainly seems to be!"

Indy paused. "Em... when I was at the museum, and... saw what I did... and punched the apkallu stone, and broke my arm... It was because..." Indy sighed. "I can't even say it."

"Dad?" Emily waited. "I don't understand. You're going to have to explain all this... Its not like you at all, Dad. I mean, the bad communication is like you... but the keeping information from me? Don't do this, Dad!"

"I know. Give me a minute." Indy thought for a long moment. "Do you remember the KBG agent who tried to beat you into a corner?"

"Yes, Dad. You shot him."

"The apkallu will do worse to you Em. They will pass you among themselves like an unwilling concubine and you will not be strong enough to fight them."

"I read that, Dad. I know Grandpa Abner thought that the rituals involving women as prostitutes and sacrifices were formed on orders from the apkallu. I know that they were sold as slaves, and I've read the ancient legends of horrible assaults on women who were minding their own business. I know what happened with Annie. Her ex husband Dawson approached me with the same intent. She's probably told me more than she's told you..." Emily swallowed, hesitating, seeing the pain on Indy's face. "I've seen the slave markets, Dad. I know what the KBG agent wanted to do to me. I never told you what I knew... but I knew. Men like Edo would partner with evil like that that. Grandpa Henry's right - the apkallu are no different than the Nazis. They thrive off control and domination. And if half the legends are right... and if these creatures made you afraid and under their control when you were in India... then we've got no choice but to fight."

"I'm the one who found the swords," Indy admonished. "This is going to be me and Shorty, putting them back."

"But they're after all humanity!" Emily protested. "Why am I different?"

Indy stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders, clutching her in a desperate hug. "Because you're my daughter! They threatened you specifically."

"Dad, if I'm a casualty in all this - I want a fighting chance. Let me go!"

Indy paused, feeling something break inside his father's heart. "You haven't seen this evil... And what they threatened, I've already had one daughter survive. I'm not going to let that happen to you."

"Annie?" Emily asked. "Her husband...? That's the abuse every woman faces when she chooses the right man and that choice becomes the wrong man. I've been fighting since I was four! You know this Dad! I can handle this! You need me! If I stay here like you want me to you'll worry about me and won't have another fighter when you need it. Remember what happened the last time?"

"Yes. Which is why you'll stay here instead of wandering off!"

"No, Dad. I'm coming with you. I have to... because if we fail, they come after Mom, Annie and Laurel next."

Indy thought for a moment. "Why didn't Annie tell me?"

Emily swallowed. "Dad - she hadn't seen you since the tomb cave in. I was four, she was ten. She swore me to secrecy. She didn't want you to think less of her."

Indy took a breath. "I'll have to get her to trust me again. She used to fall right into my arms... The first time we met... she just... forced me to catch her. It was instinct... and instant bonding." He swallowed, pulling his hat down, and rubbing at the edge of his eye. "I'll never forget that."

"I think she wants to trust you, Dad. There's just a lot of time between you and her. Same with Mom."

"Then I'd better get back home," Indy murmured. "I know Laurel misses me."

Emily grinned. "And you'd never admit it, but you adore being called Gwandpa."

"Yeah. There's that. And as usual, Em - you're right." He moved his arm around her shoulder. This time there was no desperation, just tenderness. "I'm sorry for being an idiot."

"You were trying to protect me, Dad. It's what good dads do - you taught me that. And... Mom warned me it was a hazard with you."

"Idiocy or protection hazards?"

"Both." Emily smiled. "And being a good dad." She leaned forward, kissed him on the cheek above the adventurer's stubble, then yanked his hat down over his face and sprung off the plane.